US10697687B2 - Refrigerator and/or freezer device - Google Patents

Refrigerator and/or freezer device Download PDF

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Publication number
US10697687B2
US10697687B2 US16/326,380 US201716326380A US10697687B2 US 10697687 B2 US10697687 B2 US 10697687B2 US 201716326380 A US201716326380 A US 201716326380A US 10697687 B2 US10697687 B2 US 10697687B2
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Prior art keywords
refrigerating unit
actuator
actuation
dispenser
unit
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US16/326,380
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English (en)
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US20190219318A1 (en
Inventor
Dominik Lercher
Hannes Stocker
Markus KOFELE
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Liebherr Hausgeraete Lienz GmbH
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Liebherr Hausgeraete Lienz GmbH
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Assigned to LIEBHERR-HAUSGERÄTE LIENZ GMBH reassignment LIEBHERR-HAUSGERÄTE LIENZ GMBH ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: STOCKER, Hannes, KOFELE, MARKUS, LERCHER, DOMINIK
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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C5/00—Working or handling ice
    • F25C5/20—Distributing ice
    • F25C5/22—Distributing ice particularly adapted for household refrigerators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00—General constructional features
    • F25D23/12—Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
    • F25D23/126—Water cooler
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
    • F25D2400/18—Aesthetic features

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a refrigerator unit and/or a freezer unit having at least one dispensing unit for liquid and/or solid substances such as ice or water.
  • refrigerator units and freezer units with such dispensing units such as with water dispensers or ice dispensers that are rigidly arranged at the unit.
  • These dispensers can be installed, for example, at the door or in the inner space of the unit. They are typically actuated via a separate movable switch or sensor.
  • a refrigerating unit that is a refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit having the features as described herein of claim 1 .
  • the dispensing unit is lowerable and at least one actuation unit is provided that is configured such that on its actuation the dispensing unit is moved from the lowered position into a moved out position.
  • the dispensing unit In the unactuated state, the dispensing unit is thus outwardly protected from damage and contamination since it is in its lowered position. It is preferably not accessible from the outside in this position.
  • the dispensing unit If the dispensing unit is to be used, it moves from the lowered position into a moved out position in which it serves the dispensing of the product such as ice or water.
  • the dispensing unit only moves out (which is to be understood as any desired movement out of the lowered position) by the actuation of the actuation element and enables the dispensing of any desired solid, liquid, or other product.
  • the solid or liquid substances can, for example, be ice cubes or beverages or water.
  • dispensing unit and/or the actuation element can be arranged inwardly (i.e. in the cooled inner space) or outwardly (i.e. at the door or at the carcass) at the unit.
  • the dispensing unit can—as stated—be a water dispenser and/or an ice dispenser, for example.
  • the dispensing of the product is controlled or regulated by a separate mechanism such as by a switch or sensor, etc. which the user has to actuate when he desires the dispensing of the product.
  • the actuation element is preferably located below the dispensing unit. This brings about the advantage that the actuation element can be pressed in, by a glass for example, that can then be filled with the product (water, ice, etc.) from above after the moving out of the dispensing unit.
  • the dispensing unit and the actuation element are configured such that the dispensing unit independently moves back into the lowered position after the end of the actuation of the actuation element.
  • This can take place mechanically, e.g. by a spring or also by means of a drive, e.g. by an electric motor.
  • the dispensing unit is actuated by a drive unit such as by an electric motor. It is, however, also conceivable that the dispensing unit is moved by the actuation element, i.e. that the actuation element and the dispensing unit are mechanically coupled such that the actuation of the actuation element leads to a moving out of the dispensing unit and/or that the return of the actuation element leads to a moving of the dispensing unit into the lowered position.
  • the actuation element can be configured such that its actuation takes place by a movement or by a touching of the actuation element.
  • the actuation element can, for example, be a switch, a sensor, or also a plate, etc.
  • the actuation element can form a component of the dispensing unit or can also be designed as a separate element, i.e. an element not associated with the dispensing unit.
  • the actuation element and the dispensing unit can be configured such that they move synchronously at least sectionally. It is thus, for example, conceivable that the pressing in of the actuation element takes place simultaneously with the moving out of the dispensing unit into the moved out position and/or conversely the return of the actuation element takes place simultaneously with the moving of the dispensing unit into the lowered position.
  • the actuation element and the dispensing unit are configured such that the amount and/or the amount/time unit, i.e. the dispensing rate of the product dispensed by the dispensing unit depends on the degree of actuation of the actuation element. This means that the stronger the actuation element is actuated, the more of the product to be dispensed is dispensed.
  • the amount of water (absolute or per time unit) and/or the water pressure can be regulated by the degree of the actuation such as the pressed in depth of the actuation element.
  • the actuation element is configured as a mechanically movable element or as a sensor.
  • the movement of the actuation element can, for example, be a press in movement, a pushing movement, or a rotary movement.
  • a press in movement, e.g. by means of a glass or of a beaker, that leads to a moving out movement of the dispensing unit is preferred.
  • the actuation of the actuation element can generally take place by a hand or by a finger.
  • the actuation of the actuation element has the consequence of a switching on of a lighting and/or of a temperature display and/or of a permanent flowmeter and/or an actuation meter to display the number of button presses or actuations or another function of the unit.
  • the dispensing unit can be configured such that its movement from the lowered position into the moved out position is a travel movement, a pivot movement, or a rotary movement. A superposition of these movements is also conceivable and covered by the invention.
  • FIG. 1 a first perspective view of the dispensing unit and of the actuation element in the lowered position
  • FIG. 2 a second perspective view of the dispensing unit in the moved out position and of the actuation element in the pressed in position.
  • FIG. 1 shows by reference numeral 10 a component of a refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit such as a part of the inside of the door or a part of the carcass of the unit.
  • the dispensing unit is marked by the reference numeral 20 and the actuation element is marked by the reference numeral 30 .
  • the dispensing unit 20 has a plate 21 that is arranged flush with the sections of the unit adjacent to the plate 21 in the lowered state of the dispensing unit 20 in accordance with FIG. 1 so that a visually appealing impression of an integration of the dispensing unit 20 in the unit results.
  • the actuation element 30 that likewise has a plate 31 that is likewise arranged flush with the sections of the unit adjacent to the plate 31 .
  • the plates 21 and 31 are directly above one another and are adjacent to one another when the dispensing unit is in its lowered position in accordance with FIG. 1 .
  • the dispensing unit 20 is optimally protected from damage and contamination since it is closed to the outside.
  • the dispensing unit pivots outward in the direction of the arrow B, as is shown in FIG. 2 that shows the dispensing unit in its outwardly pivoted position, by the pressing in of the actuation element in the form of the plate 31 in the direction of the arrow A.
  • the dispensing of a product such as water or ice, etc. from the dispensing device 22 is made possible in this position.
  • the dispensing takes place automatically as soon as the dispensing unit has reached a specific outwardly pivoted position.
  • the dispensing can also take place in the inwardly pivoted state.
  • a lighting that illuminates the region of the dispensing device 22 can be simultaneously activated.
  • the dispensing After the release of the actuation plate 31 , i.e. on the stopping of the pressing in, the dispensing automatically stops and the dispensing unit 20 and the actuation unit 30 synchronously pivot or travel back into the position shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the dispensing or the water pressure or the amount of ice can be regulated via the pressed in depth of the actuation element 31 .
  • the dispensing unit is only moved out when it is needed. It is otherwise in the well-protected position in accordance with FIG. 1 in which it is not accessible from the outside, but is rather arranged in a protected manner in a recess of the unit.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
  • Production, Working, Storing, Or Distribution Of Ice (AREA)
  • Confectionery (AREA)
US16/326,380 2016-10-06 2017-10-06 Refrigerator and/or freezer device Active US10697687B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102016012004.5 2016-10-06
DE102016012004 2016-10-06
DE102016012004 2016-10-06
DE102017000038.7A DE102017000038A1 (de) 2016-10-06 2017-01-04 Kühl- und/oder Gefriergerät
DE102017000038.7 2017-01-04
DE102017000038 2017-01-04
PCT/EP2017/001186 WO2018065095A1 (fr) 2016-10-06 2017-10-06 Appareil de réfrigération et/ou de congélation

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20190219318A1 US20190219318A1 (en) 2019-07-18
US10697687B2 true US10697687B2 (en) 2020-06-30

Family

ID=61695698

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US16/326,380 Active US10697687B2 (en) 2016-10-06 2017-10-06 Refrigerator and/or freezer device

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US10697687B2 (fr)
EP (1) EP3469273B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE102017000038A1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2971853T3 (fr)
WO (1) WO2018065095A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10739063B2 (en) 2017-12-20 2020-08-11 Electrolux Home Products, Inc. Water dispenser

Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4209999A (en) * 1978-06-12 1980-07-01 General Electric Company Household refrigerator with through-the-door ice service
EP1519131A1 (fr) 2003-09-17 2005-03-30 LG Electronics Inc. Réfrigérateur avec générateur et distributeur de glace
KR20070112971A (ko) 2006-05-24 2007-11-28 삼성전자주식회사 냉장고
US20080173027A1 (en) 2007-01-18 2008-07-24 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator related technology
WO2009008621A2 (fr) 2007-07-06 2009-01-15 Lg Electronics Inc. Technologie en relation avec un distributeur
WO2009104864A1 (fr) 2008-02-18 2009-08-27 Lg Electronics Inc. Réfrigérateur
US8146783B2 (en) * 2008-12-11 2012-04-03 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator having dispenser
US8191378B2 (en) * 2008-04-07 2012-06-05 Lg Electronics Inc. Dispenser related technology
US8196618B2 (en) * 2007-07-04 2012-06-12 Lg Electronics Inc. Dispenser with an ice discharge duct in which a part of the ice discharge duct is detachably provided and a refrigerator including the same
DE102010062737A1 (de) 2010-12-09 2012-06-14 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Kältegerät mit Ausgabevorrichtung
US8201715B2 (en) * 2008-04-07 2012-06-19 Lg Electronics Inc. Dispenser related technology
US20120180517A1 (en) 2009-07-09 2012-07-19 Electrolux Do Brasil S. A. provided in a liquid dispenser
US20170003069A1 (en) 2015-07-01 2017-01-05 Bsh Hausgeraete Gmbh Refrigeration appliance with water dispenser

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7210601B2 (en) * 2004-06-04 2007-05-01 Whirlpool Corporation Variable flow water dispenser for refrigerator freezers
KR101410462B1 (ko) * 2007-02-26 2014-06-30 삼성전자주식회사 냉장고
KR100900292B1 (ko) * 2007-07-05 2009-05-29 엘지전자 주식회사 음식물 보관기기 및 그 제어방법

Patent Citations (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4209999A (en) * 1978-06-12 1980-07-01 General Electric Company Household refrigerator with through-the-door ice service
EP1519131A1 (fr) 2003-09-17 2005-03-30 LG Electronics Inc. Réfrigérateur avec générateur et distributeur de glace
US7316121B2 (en) * 2003-09-17 2008-01-08 Lg Electronics Inc. Dispenser of icemaker in refrigerator
US7383689B2 (en) * 2003-09-17 2008-06-10 Lg Electronics Inc. Dispenser of icemaker in refrigerator
KR20070112971A (ko) 2006-05-24 2007-11-28 삼성전자주식회사 냉장고
US7997452B2 (en) * 2007-01-18 2011-08-16 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator related technology
US20080173027A1 (en) 2007-01-18 2008-07-24 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator related technology
US8196618B2 (en) * 2007-07-04 2012-06-12 Lg Electronics Inc. Dispenser with an ice discharge duct in which a part of the ice discharge duct is detachably provided and a refrigerator including the same
WO2009008621A2 (fr) 2007-07-06 2009-01-15 Lg Electronics Inc. Technologie en relation avec un distributeur
WO2009104864A1 (fr) 2008-02-18 2009-08-27 Lg Electronics Inc. Réfrigérateur
US8191378B2 (en) * 2008-04-07 2012-06-05 Lg Electronics Inc. Dispenser related technology
US8201715B2 (en) * 2008-04-07 2012-06-19 Lg Electronics Inc. Dispenser related technology
US8146783B2 (en) * 2008-12-11 2012-04-03 Lg Electronics Inc. Refrigerator having dispenser
US20120180517A1 (en) 2009-07-09 2012-07-19 Electrolux Do Brasil S. A. provided in a liquid dispenser
EP2452139B1 (fr) 2009-07-09 2016-03-02 Electrolux Do Brasil S.A. Distributeur de liquide
DE102010062737A1 (de) 2010-12-09 2012-06-14 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Kältegerät mit Ausgabevorrichtung
US20170003069A1 (en) 2015-07-01 2017-01-05 Bsh Hausgeraete Gmbh Refrigeration appliance with water dispenser
DE102015212340A1 (de) 2015-07-01 2017-01-05 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Kältegerät mit Wasserspender

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in corresponding International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2017/001186 (with English translation of International Search Report) dated Jan. 25, 2018 (12 pages).
Search Report issued in corresponding German Patent Application No. 10 2017 000 038.7 dated May 12, 2017 (7 pages).

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2971853T3 (es) 2024-06-10
EP3469273A1 (fr) 2019-04-17
DE102017000038A1 (de) 2018-04-12
US20190219318A1 (en) 2019-07-18
EP3469273B1 (fr) 2023-11-29
WO2018065095A1 (fr) 2018-04-12

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